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Shipping an iPhone to Canada?
- Thread starter brn2ski00
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acfusion29
macrumors 68040
I bought an iPhone from someone on modmyifone, and the guy sent it to me, no problems. He marked it as a $50 as is cell phone, so I didn't pay anything.
i did it through usps... it was insured and in total cost about $21... took about a week to get there
EvryDayImShufln
macrumors 65816
What if the package is marked as gift? And what would keep them from charging both QST and GST totalling 13.5% if they would charge 5% anyway?
Surely
Guest
Look into the different courier companies and ways of shipping. Some shipping companies charge a very hefty (I'm not talking 10 bucks here) brokerage fee just to move the item through customs. That is apart from the customs fees and GST.
Some shipping companies and methods have that fee built in at a much lower rate so you wouldn't have to pay it.
I once had a cell phone shipped to me by USPS from the US to Toronto, and had to pay over $80 in brokerage and customs fees. It made it almost not worth it to buy from ebay- I could have bought the phone at the Sony Store for $50 more.
I believe that if it is shipped by air by certain companies, the brokerage fees are included, so that would save some $$$. I think that if it is ground shipping, you will have to pay the brokerage fee COD.
Before you buy, find out the shipping options and then call those shippers to see what the deal is with brokerage fees and customs.
If the package is marked as a gift, then you shouldn't have to pay the taxes. However, when the origin address of the package has a company's name on it instead of, let's say, " from your Grandma Hazel", then customs gets suspicious. They may look into it, it may delay the shipping, and you may get charged anyway. I think that companies end up getting flagged if they do the gift thing too often, and they are warned not to do it anymore.
Some shipping companies and methods have that fee built in at a much lower rate so you wouldn't have to pay it.
I once had a cell phone shipped to me by USPS from the US to Toronto, and had to pay over $80 in brokerage and customs fees. It made it almost not worth it to buy from ebay- I could have bought the phone at the Sony Store for $50 more.
I believe that if it is shipped by air by certain companies, the brokerage fees are included, so that would save some $$$. I think that if it is ground shipping, you will have to pay the brokerage fee COD.
Before you buy, find out the shipping options and then call those shippers to see what the deal is with brokerage fees and customs.
If the package is marked as a gift, then you shouldn't have to pay the taxes. However, when the origin address of the package has a company's name on it instead of, let's say, " from your Grandma Hazel", then customs gets suspicious. They may look into it, it may delay the shipping, and you may get charged anyway. I think that companies end up getting flagged if they do the gift thing too often, and they are warned not to do it anymore.
dejo
Moderator emeritus
I'm pretty sure even gifts are subject to GST charges. As for the provincial sales tax, I am not sure. I have only ever shipped items to Alberta, which has no PST!
Ok, good info.
But what I want to do is send my buddy an iPhone for his birthday from Maine to Montreal. Will he get charged anything at the border if I say it is a gift? I plan to send it via USPS.
Surely
Guest
I'm not really sure, to be honest. I wouldn't want to guess and give you a BS answer.
I would call USPS and Canada Customs to find out what charges you or he could expect. That's what I would do. I would also give UPS and Fed Ex a call- their fees may be competitive and shipping may be faster. Don't forget to ask about Brokerage fees.
God it must be so complicated for you guys in USA and Canada... With tax excluded for products.
In the UK its simple with a universal tax and thats it (included in the product) i feel for you guys...
In the UK its simple with a universal tax and thats it (included in the product) i feel for you guys...
EvryDayImShufln
macrumors 65816
The biggest problem is paying several taxes on one product.
Once, when I imported a few iPhones into Canada, I paid 8% tax in the US and then ANOTHER 13.5% + 4$ tax when crossing the border (inclulding being taxed on the extra 8%).
What I can't stand is that they charge GST and PST on an iPhone in the first place. The way these taxes are supposed to work is that they get charged on imported goods that you could otherwise buy in Canada so the feds and provinces don't suffer tax leakage (i.e. people shopping outside the jurisdiction for things they would otherwise buy in the jurisdiction just so they can avoid the tax). BUT YOU CAN'T BUY AN IPHONE IN CANADA so this theory makes no sense here - it is just a straight up money grab. The taxman drives me nuts.
Variation on this question: sending Canadian relative a new (old model) iPhone I got from my carrier for free, will claim under $60 value and include card wishing them well, but will the fact it’s an unopened, sealed phone raise any eyebrows (and in turn trigger import duties)? It will be USPS to Canada Post